FROM THE KC CHAMBER’S PRESIDENT AND CEO
You can feel it in every corner of our region: FIFA World Cup 2026™ momentum is building. Starting Lineup volunteers begin their training this week, taking important first steps toward welcoming the world to Kansas City. Already, this work is coming to life in ways big and small — from meeting our mascots to seeing early plans for FanFest and KC House that will showcase the very best of who we are as a region. A special thank you to Host City Supporter, KC Chamber member, and global design leader Populous for a stunning FanFest design that reflects our welcoming heart and gives all of us something to be proud of.
Our small businesses are equally hard at work, completing assessments and readiness plans so they can seize the opportunities ahead as part of the KC Game Plan. Across Greater Kansas City — north, south, east, and west, and on both sides of the state line — local municipalities are planning memorable welcoming experiences that will greet visitors and uplift residents alike. The Chamber has been proud to support small business engagement from the very beginning, and we look forward to continuing this critical work in the coming months.
We’re also counting down to the December 5 draw date, now less than a month away, when we’ll see another important piece of this global moment fall into place. And behind the scenes, our first responders continue to plan, prepare, and train to ensure a safe, secure experience for everyone who calls this region home and everyone who will soon visit.
It’s getting closer, and the excitement is growing every day. I’m proud that the Chamber is at the table with KC2026 and partners across the region, helping Greater Kansas City get ready to shine on the world stage.
NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORKING – FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF KANSAS CITY
Join us for Neighborhood Networking with the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City (1 Memorial Drive, KCMO) on Friday, November 21 from 8:30 to 10 a.m. You’ll make new connections, hear brief remarks, and have the chance to tour the Kansas City Fed, one of 12 regional Reserve Banks that, together with the Board of Governors in Washington, D.C., make up our nation’s central bank and support economic and financial stability. This event is made possible by our 2025 Networking Sponsors: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, Delta Dental, Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals, Southwest Airlines, and UMB Bank. Learn more and register today!
138TH ANNUAL DINNER
There’s still time to join one of the region’s most anticipated business events of the year — our 138th Annual Dinner, presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, 4:00–7:30 p.m. in the Kay Barnes Grand Ballroom at the Kansas City Convention Center (301 W 13th St., KCMO).
Under the theme KC Made, the evening celebrates the people, ideas, and innovations that define our region’s bold spirit. The program features a lively reception, seated dinner, and two special mini panels on Kansas City’s rise as a global soccer capital: first looking back with World Cup honorary co-chairs Clark Hunt and Cliff Illig, then looking ahead with Kathy Nelson and FIFA leaders Amy Hopfinger and Dan Flynn on the journey to becoming a FIFA World Cup 2026™ Host City and what comes next. You’ll also hear reflections from outgoing Board Chair Charlie Shields and a forward-looking vision from incoming Board Chair Jeff Simon before capping the night off with the surprise reveal of the 2025 Kansas Citian of the Year. Bring your team, your clients, and your hometown pride. Reserve your seats and be part of the story!
CENTURIONS INFORMATION SESSIONS
Centurions helps emerging leaders dig into Greater Kansas City’s biggest opportunities and challenges through issue-focused learning days, site visits with regional changemakers, hands-on service projects, and a powerful cross-sector network. Choose the information session that fits your schedule to hear how the program works and what it can do for your leadership journey:
- Tuesday, December 2, 8:00 to 9:00 a.m., at The Salvation Army — Register
- Monday, December 15, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., at Chicken N Pickle in NKC — Register
Applications for the Pinnacle 2026 cohort are due by 11:59 p.m. on January 15, 2026.
SMALL BUSINESS SUPERSTARS SOIREE
Kansas City’s small businesses are the heartbeat of our regional economy and this December, we are rolling out the red carpet just for them. On Tuesday, December 16, from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m., you’re invited to the Small Business Superstars Soiree at the Zhou B. Art Center of Kansas City (1801 E. 18th St., KCMO).
This special evening is all about celebrating our 2026 Small Business Superstars and the creativity, resilience, and community spirit they bring to the region every day. It’s a chance to connect with them, swap stories and ideas, and build relationships with entrepreneurs who understand both the challenges and the joy of running a small business. Reserve your spot today for the Small Business Superstars Soiree and help us toast the small businesses that make Kansas City shine.